Corbelled-support apparatus

ABSTRACT

A corbelled-support apparatus includes a support which has a horizontal surface and a vertical surface, a corbel which has opposed top and bottom ends, and a platform positioned concurrently on and supported concurrently by the horizontal surface of the support and the top end of the corbel. The corbel is secured to the vertical surface of the support. The platform is for receiving and supporting display items with respect to the horizontal surface of the support and the corbel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to display devices, and moreparticularly to display devices supporting items for display at walls,sills, and support structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People often desire to place large objects on windowsills, shelves,platforms, and against or on top of walls. However, the limited areaavailable to place such an object may render placement impractical oreven dangerous. Because some objects, such as growing plants, may belarge and heavy, supporting and stabilizing them on areas that aresmaller than the objects themselves may be impossible. A safer, moresecure way to support and display an object is needed other than merelyplacing the object on the sill or shelf.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a corbelled-supportapparatus includes a support having a horizontal surface and a verticalsurface, a corbel having opposed top and bottom ends, the corbel securedto the vertical surface of the support, and a platform positionedconcurrently on and supported concurrently by the horizontal surface ofthe support and the top end of the corbel. The platform receives andsupports display items with respect to the horizontal surface of thesupport and the corbel. An engagement assembly couples the platform tothe corbel and includes an engagement element carried by the platformand a complemental engagement element carried by the corbel. Theengagement element is one of a tongue and a groove, and the complementalengagement element is the other of the tongue and the groove. In anembodiment, the platform includes opposed front and rear ends, opposedsides, opposed top and bottom surfaces, the engagement element is atongue, the complemental engagement element is a groove, the tongueincludes opposed leading and trailing ends, and the tongue extends alongthe bottom surface of the platform from the leading end located at anintermediate position with respect to the bottom surface to the trailingend positioned near the front end of the platform. An area of thevertical surface of the support is exposed at the groove inboard withrespect to the top end of the corbel, and the leading end of the tongueextending along the bottom surface of the platform is encountered by andreceived in juxtaposition with respect to the area of the verticalsurface of the support exposed at the groove. The corbel is rigidlysecured to the vertical surface of the support at a point of attachment,and the point of attachment is located at an intermediate position withrespect to the top and bottom ends of the corbel. The point ofattachment cooperates with the platform positioned concurrently on andsupported concurrently by the horizontal surface of the support and thetop end of the corbel to secure the corbel and the platform to thesupport. The leading end of the tongue cooperates with the bottomsurface of the platform to form an inward platform corner, thehorizontal and vertical surfaces of the support meet and merge at anoutward support corner, and the inward platform corner receives theoutward support corner, the leading end of the tongue received injuxtaposition with the vertical surface of the support at the area ofthe vertical surface of the support exposed at the groove. The tongue isconcealed by the corbel between the leading and trailing ends of thetongue, and the tongue extends along the bottom surface of the platformat an intermediate position with respect to the opposed sides of theplatform. In an embodiment, a second corbel includes top and bottomends, and the second corbel is secured to the vertical surface of thesupport. A second engagement assembly couples the platform to the secondcorbel and includes a tongue carried by the platform and a groovecarried by the second corbel. The tongue extends along the bottomsurface of the platform at a position proximate to one of the sides, andthe tongue extends along the bottom surface of the platform at aposition distal to the one of the sides.

According to the principle of the invention, a corbelled-supportapparatus includes a platform, a corbel, an engagement assembly couplingthe platform to the corbel which includes an engagement element carriedby the platform and a complemental engagement element carried by thecorbel, and a receiving area formed by and between the platform and thecorbel to receive a support having a horizontal surface and a verticalsurface. The support is received in the receiving area, the corbel issecured to the vertical surface of the support, and the platform issupported by the horizontal surface of the support. The platformreceives items for display with respect to the support. The platformincludes opposed top and bottom surfaces, the engagement element iscarried by the bottom surface of the platform, the corbel includesopposed top and bottom ends, and the complementary engagement element iscarried by the top end of the corbel. The engagement element is one of atongue and a groove, and the complemental engagement element is theother of the tongue and the groove. In an embodiment, the platformincludes opposed front and rear ends and opposed sides, the engagementelement is a tongue, the complemental engagement element is a groove,the tongue includes opposed leading and trailing ends, and the tongueextends along the bottom surface of the platform from the leading endlocated at an intermediate position with respect to the bottom surfaceto the trailing end positioned near the front end of the platform. Thetongue is concealed by the corbel between the leading and trailing endsof the tongue, and the tongue extends along the bottom surface of theplatform at an intermediate position with respect to the opposed sides.A first portion of the platform is positioned between the opposed sidesof the platform and extends from the front end of the platform to anintermediate location of the platform between the opposed front and rearends of the platform. A second portion of the platform is positionedbetween the opposed sides of the platform and extends from the rear endof the platform to an intermediate location of the platform between theopposed front and rear ends of the platform. The first portion of theplatform is supported by the corbel and the second portion of theplatform is supported by the horizontal surface of the support. Thecorbel is rigidly secured to the vertical surface of the support at apoint of attachment, the point of attachment is located at anintermediate position with respect to the top and bottom ends of thecorbel and the point of attachment cooperates with the second portion ofthe platform supported by the horizontal surface of the support tosecure the corbel and platform to the support. The leading end of thetongue cooperates with the bottom surface of the platform to form aninward platform corner, the horizontal and vertical surfaces of thesupport meet and merge at an outward support corner, and the inwardplatform corner receives the outward support corner, the leading end ofthe tongue received in juxtaposition with the vertical surface of thesupport.

According to the principle of the invention, a corbelled-supportapparatus includes a support having a vertical surface, a corbel havingopposed top and bottom ends, the corbel secured to the vertical surfaceof the support, and a receiving area formed by and between the verticalsurface of the support and the top end of the corbel to receive aplatform having a bottom surface. The platform is received in thereceiving area. An engagement assembly formed between and coupling theplatform to the corbel includes an engagement element carried by thebottom surface of the platform and a complementary engagement elementcarried by the corbel. The engagement element slidably and releasablycouples the complemental engagement element releasably securing theplatform to the top end of the corbel. In an embodiment, the engagementelement is a tongue, the complementary engagement element is a groove,the tongue includes opposed leading and trailing ends, and the tongueextends along the bottom surface of the platform between the opposedfront and rear ends of the platform and extends along the bottom surfaceat an intermediate position with respect to the opposed sides of theplatform. The tongue is concealed by the corbel between the leading andtrailing ends of the tongue. The corbel is rigidly secured to thevertical surface of the support at a point of attachment, the point ofattachment is located at an intermediate position with respect to thetop and bottom ends of the corbel, and the point of attachmentcooperates with the platform positioned concurrently on and against thevertical surface of the support and the top end of the corbel to securethe corbel and the platform to the support. The platform receives andsupports display items with respect to the corbel and the verticalsurface of the support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a corbel applied to a support inaccordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of a corbelled-support apparatusconstructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention, including a corbel, a support, and a platform;

FIG. 3 is a bottom isometric view of a corbel applied to a platform inaccordance with the principle of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom isometric view of the platform of FIG. 3 with thecorbel removed;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the corbel and platform of FIG. 3applied to a support;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the corbelled-support apparatus ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A-9C are side elevation views of a platform being moved from aremoved position to an applied position with respect to a corbel at asupport, forming the corbelled-support apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 10A-10C are side elevation views of a platform being moved from adisengaged position to an engaged position with respect to a corbel,forming the corbel applied to the platform as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a front isometric view of a corbelled-support apparatusconstructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention;

FIG. 12 is a section view of the corbelled-support apparatus taken alongline 12-12 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front isometric view of a corbelled-support apparatusconstructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of theinvention; and

FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the corbelled-support apparatusshown in FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicatecorresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 illustrating a support 20 having a vertical surface21 and a horizontal surface 22. A corbel 30 is secured to verticalsurface 21 of support 20. FIG. 2 illustrates support 20 and corbel 30.In FIG. 2, a platform 60 is positioned concurrently on and supportedconcurrently by horizontal surface 22 of support 20 and corbel 30 toreceive and support display items with respect to horizontal surface 22of support 20 and corbel 30.

Support 20 is a rigid, solid structure and is exemplary of a structureformed at a windowsill, countertop, top of a pony wall, or other similarstructure. Support 20 provides a rigid, solid structure for mountingcorbel 30 and platform 60 and is constructed out of a rigid, resilientmaterial such as wood, plastic, metal, drywall, or like material.Vertical surface 21 and horizontal surface 22 of support 20 are planarand transverse with respect to each other. Vertical surface 21 andhorizontal surface 22 meet and merge at and along an outward supportcorner 23.

Referring now to FIG. 1, corbel 30 is constructed of a rigid, resilient,lightweight material such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like. Corbel30 includes opposed top and bottom ends 31 and 32, opposed sides 33 and34 extending between top and bottom ends 31 and 32, and opposed frontand rear ends 35 and 36 extending from top end 31 to bottom end 32between sides 33 and 34. Top and bottom ends 31 and 32 are longitudinalwith respect to each other. Sides 33 and 34 are longitudinal withrespect to each other and longitudinal with respect to top and bottomends 31 and 32. Front end 35 is arcuate between top and bottom ends 31and 32 and cants toward rear end 36 between top and bottom ends 31 and32. Rear end 36 is longitudinal with respect to front end 35, transversewith respect to top and bottom ends 31 and 32, and transverse withrespect to sides 33 and 34.

Corbel 30 is formed with a groove 37. Groove 37 extends into corbel 30along top end 31 from front end 35 to rear end 36 at a generallyintermediate location with respect to opposed sides 33 and 34. Groove 37includes opposed front and rear groove ends 38 and 39 extending betweenfront and rear ends 35 and 36 of corbel 30. Front groove end 38 forms anopening 40 in front end 35 of corbel 30, and rear groove end 39 forms anopposed opening 41 in rear end 36 of corbel 30. Additionally, groove 37includes a groove opening 42, an opposed groove base 43, and opposedgroove walls 44 and 45 extending between groove opening and base 42 and43. Groove opening 42 extends from front groove end 38 to rear grooveend 39 along top end 31. Groove base 43 is longitudinal with respect togroove opening 42 and extends from front groove end 38 to rear grooveend 39 inboard with respect to top end 31. Groove 37 varies in width,expanding in width from groove opening 42 to groove base 43. Wall 44cants toward side 33 from groove opening 42 to groove base 43, andopposed wall 45 cants toward side 34 from groove opening 42 to groovebase 43. Groove 37 is narrowest along top end 31.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, corbel 30 is secured to verticalsurface 21 of support 20 proximate to outward support corner 23. Rearend 36 of corbel 30 is received in juxtaposition against verticalsurface 21 of support 20. Sides 33 and 34 are transverse with respect tovertical surface 21 of support 20. Top and bottom ends 31 and 32 ofcorbel 30 are longitudinal with respect to horizontal surface 22 ofsupport 20, and top end 31 is level with horizontal surface 22. Corbelprojects outward from vertical surface 21 of support 20 from rear end 36to front end 35.

Corbel 30 partially conceals outward support corner 23 at top and rearends 31 and 36 of corbel 30. Groove 37 extends from front end 35 ofcorbel 30 to rear end 36 of corbel 30 and to vertical surface 21 ofsupport 20, revealing an area 24 of vertical surface 21 exposed atopening 41 of groove 37 at rear groove end 39. Area 24 extends acrossvertical surface 21 between groove walls 44 and 45 from groove base 43to groove opening 42 and outward support corner 23. Similarly, outwardsupport corner 23 is exposed at opening 41 of groove 37 at rear grooveend 39.

Turning now to FIG. 6, corbel 30 is rigidly secured to vertical surface21 of support 20 at an attachment point 46. Attachment point 46 islocated on rear end 36 at an intermediate position with respect to topand bottom ends 31 and 32 of corbel 30. A pocket 47 extends throughcorbel 30 from front end 35 to rear end 36 at attachment point 46.Attachment point 46 is part of pocket 47 located at rear end 36. Pocket47 provides access to attachment point 46. A screw 48 or other fastenerat attachment point 47 rigidly secures corbel 30 to vertical surface 21of support 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, platform 60 is positioned concurrently on andsupported concurrently by horizontal surface 22 of support 20 and topend 31 of corbel 30. Platform 60 is constructed of a rigid, resilient,lightweight material such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like. Platform60 resists bending or flexing and is formed with a series of concentricannular ridges 79 integral to 60 platform, further decreasing theflexibility of platform 60.

Platform includes opposed front and rear ends 61 and 62, opposed sides63 and 64, and opposed top and bottom surfaces 65 and 66. Platform 60 issubstantially planar and uniform in thickness between opposed top andbottom surfaces 65 and 66. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3,and FIG. 4, platform 60 is circular. In other embodiments, consistentwith the teachings set forth herein, platform 60 may be triangular,rectangular, square, oval, or other shapes.

Top and bottom surfaces 65 and 66 meet and merge at a perimeter edge 74.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, perimeter edge 74 is turned up awayfrom top surface 65, forming a sidewwall 75. Sidewall 75 is formed atperimeter edge 74 and bounds platform 60, preventing display itemssupported by and received on platform from sliding or falling offplatform 60. Sidewall 75 further prevents overflow water applied toplants supported on platform 60 from spilling off of platform 60.Sidewall 75 provides structural rigidity across platform 60 in additionto that inherent in the material of platform 60.

FIG. 4 illustrates a tongue 67 formed on bottom surface 66 of platform60 extending away from bottom surface 66. Tongue 67 includes opposedleading and trailing ends 68 and 69 and extends along bottom surface 66of platform 60 from leading end 68 located at an intermediate positionwith respect to bottom surface 66 to trailing end 69 positioned nearfront end 61 of platform 60. Tongue 60 further extends along bottomsurface 66 of platform 60 at an intermediate position with respect toopposed sides 63 and 64 of platform 60.

Tongue 67 includes opposed tongue top 70 and tongue base 71, and opposedtongue walls 72 and 73 extending between tongue top 70 and tongue base71 from leading end 68 to trailing end 69. Tongue top 70 extends fromleading end 68 to trailing end 69 of tongue 60 and front end 61 ofplatform 60. Tongue base 71 is longitudinal with respect to tongue top70 and bottom surface 66, extending from leading end 68 to trailing end69 of tongue 60 and front end 61 of platform 60. Tongue 67 varies inwidth, expanding in width from tongue top 70 to tongue base 71. Wall 72cants toward side 63 of platform 60 from tongue top 70 to tongue base71. Wall 73 cants toward side 64 of platform 60 from tongue top 70 totongue base 71. Tongue 67 is narrowest along tongue top 70 at bottomsurface 66. Trailing end 69 of tongue 67 cants away from front end 61toward rear end 62 of platform 60 from tongue top 70 to tongue base 71.Leading end 68 is transverse with respect to bottom surface 66.

With momentary reference now to FIG. 9A, tongue 60 projects downwardbelow bottom surface 66 of platform 60. Leading end 68 of tongue 67cooperates with bottom surface 66 of platform 60 to form an inwardplatform corner 76.

As shown in FIG. 8, platform 60 is applied to corbel 30 and a portion ofbottom surface 66 is received by and rests upon top end 31 of corbel 30.Platform 60 is coupled to corbel 30, tongue 67 and groove 37 forming anengagement assembly coupling platform 60 to corbel 30. Tongue 67 is anengagement element carried by platform 60 and groove is a complementalengagement element carried by corbel 30.

Platform 60 and corbel 30 are applied and mounted to each other and tosupport 20 in a variety of manners. In one manner, corbel 30 is firstmounted to support 20, and platform 60 is then applied to corbel 30. Inanother manner, platform 60 is applied to corbel 30, and corbel 30 andplatform 60 are then applied, contemporaneously, to support 20. Theformer manner will first be described; the latter manner will bedescribed thereafter.

In the first manner of applying platform 60 and corbel 30 to support 20,corbel 30 is registered with vertical surface 21 of support 20 ready tobe applied. Corbel 30 is advanced toward support 20 and applied againstvertical surface 21, shown in FIG. 1. Corbel 30 is then secured tovertical surface 21 of support 20 at attachment point 46 by a screw 48or other fastener. Screw 48 is tightened against attachment point 46,clamping corbel 30 to vertical surface 21 and creating a friction fitbetween rear end 36 and vertical surface 21 of support 20 that resistsmovement or rotation of corbel 30 about attachment point 46. Corbel 30can still be rotated by taking corbel 30 up by hand and applying forceagainst corbel 30 in a clockwise or counterclockwise rotationaldirection with respect to attachment point 46 to level top end 31 withrespect to horizontal surface 22 of support 20. Top end 31 andhorizontal surface 22 of support 20 cooperate to form an upper receivingarea 90 which extends from front end 35 of corbel 30 along top end 31 tohorizontal surface 22 inboard with respect to outward support corner 23.

Upper receiving area 90 is adapted to receive platform 60. Platform 60is moveable between a first, removed position with respect to corbel 30,and a second, applied position with respect to corbel 30. In the firstposition, platform 60 is removed, unattached, and apart from corbel 30.In the second position, platform 60 is applied to and received by upperreceiving area 90, support 20, and corbel 30, groove 37 receiving tongue67 in sliding engagement.

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, and FIG. 9C illustrate steps of applying platform 60to corbel 30 mounted to support 20. FIG. 9A shows platform 60 in itsfirst, removed position with respect to corbel 30. In this removedposition, platform 60 is registered with corbel 30 for ready applicationto corbel 30. Rear end 62 of platform 60 is proximate to front end 35 ofcorbel 30, and front end 61 of platform is away from front end 35 ofcorbel 30. Rear end 62 of platform 60 is proximate to outward supportcorner 23 of support 20, and front end 61 of platform is away fromoutward support corner 23 of support 20. Bottom surface 66 of platform60 is longitudinal to and level with top end 31 and horizontal surface22. Bottom surface 66 is flat with respect to horizontal surface 22. Aportion of bottom surface 66 rests on top end 31. Tongue 67 isregistered with groove 37 in a readied position to slide into groove 37.Leading end 68 of tongue 67 is proximate to front end 35 of corbel 30,and trailing end 69 is away from front end 35. Further, trailing end 69is opposed from outward support corner 23 of support 20 with respect tofront end 35 and leading end 68. Platform 60 is moved from its firstposition to its second position by advancing platform 60 along arrowedline A.

FIG. 9B illustrates platform 60 partially applied to corbel 30 betweenthe first and second positions. Leading end 68 of tongue 67 is withingroove 37, hidden and obscured from view, while trailing end 69 isoutside groove 37, exposed and viewable. Bottom surface 66 of platformis received in juxtaposition by and rests against top end 31 of corbel30 and horizontal surface 22 of support 20. Rear end 62 of platform 60rests partially on horizontal surface 22. Front end 61 of platform 60 ispartially cantilevered off front end 35 of corbel 30. Platform 60 isfurther moved from its first position to its second position byadvancing platform 60 along arrowed line B.

FIG. 9C illustrates platform 60 in its second position. Platform 60 isapplied to corbel 30 and support 20, and is positioned concurrently onand supported concurrently by horizontal surface 22 of support 20 andtop end 31 of corbel 30. Bottom surface 66 of platform 60 is received atand in juxtaposition with upper receiving area 90. Rear end 62 issupported by support 20; a rear area 77 of bottom surface 66 restsagainst and is supported by horizontal surface 22 of support 22. Frontend is supported by corbel 30. A front area 78 of bottom surface 66rests against and is supported by top end 31 of corbel 30, and corbel 30is secured to vertical surface 21 of support 20. Tongue 67 is nowconcealed by corbel 60 between leading and trailing ends 68 and 69 oftongue 67 and is hidden from a view across vertical surface normal tosides 33 and 34 of corbel. Trailing end 69 is flush with front end 35 ofcorbel 30 and visible from a line of sight longitudinal with respect togroove 37. Referring to FIG. 6, which shows platform 60 in its secondposition, leading end 68 of tongue 67 is encountered by and received injuxtaposition with respect to area 24 of vertical surface 21 of support20 exposed at groove 37. Inward platform corner 76 formed between bottomsurface 66 and leading end 68 of tongue 67 receives outward supportcorner 23 of support 20, leading end 68 of tongue 67 received injuxtaposition with vertical surface 21 and bottom surface 66 received injuxtaposition with horizontal surface 22 of support 20.

The foregoing description is exemplary of a first manner of applying andsecuring platform 60, corbel 30, and support 20 to each other in whichcorbel 30 is first mounted to support 20 and then platform 60 is appliedto corbel 30 and support 20. In a second manner, now described, platform60 is applied to corbel 30, and corbel 30 and platform 60 are thenapplied, contemporaneously, to support 20.

In this manner, platform 60 alternates between a first, disengagedcondition and a second, engaged condition with respect to corbel 30.FIG. 4 illustrates the first condition of platform 60, and FIG. 3illustrates the second condition of platform 60. In the first conditionof platform 60, platform 60 is disengaged and unattached from anything.In the second condition of platform 60, corbel 30 is mounted to platform60, tongue 67 of platform 60 receiving groove 37 formed in corbel 30.

To place platform 60 in the second condition, corbel 30 is registeredwith platform 60, groove 37 aligned with tongue 67, as shown in FIG.10A. Leading end 68 of tongue 67 is proximate to front end 35 of corbel30, and trailing end 69 is away from front end 35. Platform 60 is movedfrom its first condition to its condition by advancing platform 60 alonga direction indicated by arrowed line I longitudinal with respect togroove 37. Although platform 60 is described here as moved onto corbel30 from the front end 35 of corbel to the rear end 36, it will beappreciated that, because groove 37 is open at both front and reargroove ends 38 and 39, platform could also be moved onto corbel 30 fromthe rear end 36 to the front end 35.

FIG. 10B illustrates platform 60 partially applied to corbel 30 betweenthe first and second conditions. Leading end 68 of tongue 67 is withingroove 37, hidden and obscured from view, while trailing end 69 isoutside groove 37, exposed and viewable. Top end 31 of corbel 30 isentirely applied against bottom surface 66 of platform 60, though bottomsurface 66 of platform 60 is only partially applied to top end 31 ofcorbel 30. Platform 60 is further moved from its first condition to itssecond condition by advancing platform 60 along arrowed line J in FIG.10B.

FIG. 10C illustrates platform 60 in its second condition. Platform 60 iscoupled to corbel 30 along top end 31, tongue 67 engaged with groove 37.Tongue 67 is concealed by corbel 60 between leading and trailing ends 68and 69 and is hidden from a view normal to sides 33 and 34 of corbel 30.Leading end 68 of tongue 67 is flush and even with rear end 36 of corbel30, leading end 68 positioned within rear groove end 39 of groove 30. Asshown in FIG. 3, trailing end 69 is flush with front end 35 of corbel 30and front groove end 38 of groove 37, and is visible from a line ofsight longitudinal with respect to groove 37.

In this second condition of platform 60, front area 78 of bottom surface66 of platform 60 is received at and in juxtaposition with top end 31 ofcorbel 30. Rear area 77 of bottom surface 66 is free and exposed. Areceiving area 91 is formed by and between platform 60 and corbel 30.Receiving area 91 extends between rear end 36 and rear area 77 of bottomsurface 66 of platform 60, from between opposed sides 63 and 64 ofplatform 60. Inward platform corner 76 is located within receiving area91.

In the second condition of platform 60, platform 60 and corbel 30 are ina ready condition to be mounted and secured to support 20. Receivingarea 91 receives support 20 to apply corbel 30 and platform 60 tosupport 20. Support 20 is applied to and received in receiving area 91,vertical surface 21 is received in juxtaposition with respect to rearend 36 of corbel 30, horizontal surface 22 is received in juxtapositionwith respect to rear area 77 of bottom surface 66 of platform, outwardsupport corner 23 is received in juxtaposition with respect to inwardplatform corner 76, and leading end 68 of tongue 67 received injuxtaposition with vertical surface 21 of support 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, corbel 30 is secured to verticalsurface 21 of support 20, and platform 60 is supported by horizontalsurface 22 of support 20, platform 60 for receiving items for displaywith respect to support 20. Attachment point 46 cooperates with rear end62 of platform 60 to secure corbel 30 and platform 60 to support 20.FIG. 7 shows rear end 62 of platform 60 is supported by support 20, reararea 77 of bottom surface 66 resting against and supported by horizontalsurface 22 of support 20. Likewise, front end 61 of platform 60 issupported by corbel 30, front area 78 of bottom surface 66 restingagainst and supported by top end 31 of corbel 30, corbel 30 secured tovertical surface 21.

Platform 60, corbel 30, and support 20 are secured through one of themanners described above or through another manner, so that items may bereceived, supported, and displayed on platform 60. With continuingreference to FIG. 7, platform 60 cannot be moved out of its secondposition without an application of force. Outward support corner 23 andinward platform corner 76 operate to limit movement of tongue 67 pastvertical surface 21, preventing movement of platform 60 in a directionindicated by arrowed line C. Likewise, platform cannot be moved in adirection indicated by arrowed line D without an application of force.Friction between tongue 67 and groove 37 prevents platform from slidingoff corbel 30 and support 20. Tongue 67 fits snugly within groove 37,which is shaped to receive tongue 67, as shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the secure engagement of tongue 67 within groove 37. Tonguebase 71 is received in juxtaposition against groove base 43, wall 72 oftongue 67 is received in juxtaposition against wall 44 of groove 37, andwall 73 of tongue 67 is received in juxtaposition against wall 45 ofgroove 37.

Although tongue 60 is slideably and releasably received by groove 30 ina longitudinal direction indicated by arrowed line C, tongue 67 andgroove 37 form a friction fit which resists sliding and releasing.Contact and friction between tongue base 71 and groove base 43, betweenwall 72 and wall 44, and between 73 and wall 45 prevents withdrawal oftongue 67 from groove 37 in a direction indicated by arrowed line D inFIG. 7, longitudinal with respect to groove 37 and normal to verticalsurface 21. Tongue 67 also cannot be removed from groove 37 in adirection indicated by arrowed line E in FIG. 8, normal to groove 37.The shape of tongue 67 limits movement of tongue within groove 37 in anydirection other than a direction longitudinal to groove 37. Tongue base71 is wider than groove opening 42 preventing tongue 67 from beingremoved from groove 37 upward through groove opening 42. Groove 37 alsoprevents rotation of platform 60 about tongue 67 in directions indicatedby double-arrowed lines F and G in FIG. 5. Walls 44 and 45 of groove 37,formed in top end 31 of corbel 30 hold tongue 67 and hold platform 60flat and level with respect to top end 31.

Horizontal surface 22, applied against bottom surface 66 of platform 60,prevents rotation of platform 60 about tongue 67. Horizontal surface 22operates to prevent movement of platform 60 and secure platform 60 andcorbel 30 to vertical surface 21 of support 20. Attachment point 46 atrear end 36 of corbel 30 cooperates with platform 60 positionedconcurrently on and supported concurrently by horizontal surface 22 ofsupport 20 and top end 31 of corbel 30 to secure corbel 30 and platform60 to support 20. Attachment point 46 and bottom surface 66 positionedagainst horizontal surface 22 create a stable attachment to support 20,providing two points of contact and support which prevent movement orrotation of platform 60 and corbel 30 with respect to support 20.

Corbel 30 further resists rotational movement of platform 60 withrespect to outward support corner 23. Rear end 36 of corbel 30 isapplied against vertical surface 21 of support 20, providing a largearea of contact against vertical surface 21, thereby preventing rotationwith respect to outward support corner 23 as indicated by double-arrowedline H in FIG. 7 along the entire length of rear end 35 in juxtapositionwith vertical surface 21. Interlocking tongue 67 and groove 37 providerigidity along front end 61 of platform 60 and top end 31 of corbel 30,mating top end 31 to bottom surface 66 between front end 35 and rear end36 of corbel 30 and between front end 61 and rear end 62 of platform toresist flexing along line H, which, combined with the rigidity andresiliency of the material of corbel 30, act to resist rotation ofplatform 60 with respect to outward support corner 23. Further, tonguetop 70, tongue base 71, wall 72, and wall 73 form, in sectional profile,a structure similar to a box girder which resists torsion as well asflexion longitudinally with respect to tongue 67.

Support 20 is a rigid, solid structure, and corbel 30 is constructed ofa rigid, resilient material unlikely to deform, creating a solid, stablesupport for platform 60. Platform 60 coupled to corbel 30 forms acantilever projecting outward from vertical surface 21, fixed atattachment point 46 and free of attachment at front end 61 of platform60 and front end 35 of corbel 30. A distributed load applied to platform60, such as a plant received on top surface 65 of platform 60, issupported at attachment point 46 and along rear end 36 of corbel 30 injuxtaposition with vertical surface 21. Downward forces on front end 61of platform 60 from items received on platform 60 are distributedthrough corbel 30 to support 20, thereby preventing platform 60 fromflexing along line H. By distributing weight applied to platform 60,corbel acts like a large lever arm supporting platform 60 at support 20along rear end 36 of corbel 30 in contact with vertical surface 21 ofsupport 20, biasing against downward and rotational forces.

Despite the effect that contact and friction have to prevent platform 60from slipping off of corbel 30, platform 30 can be removed from corbel30 by taking up platform by hand, applying force, and withdrawing tongue67 from groove 37 in a direction longitudinal with respect to groove 37.Complete removal is accomplished in this manner and by reversing thesteps described above for applying platform 60 to corbel 30.

Turning now to FIG. 11, a corbelled-support apparatus 100 isillustrated. Corbelled-support apparatus 100 is substantially identicalto corbelled-support apparatus 19 of FIGS. 1-10 except for a fewdifferences which will be explained below. Corbelled-support apparatus100 includes vertical surface 21 of support 20, corbel 30, and aplatform 160. Platform 160 is structured to receive and support displayitems with respect to corbel 30 and vertical surface 21 of support 20.

Corbel 30 displayed in FIG. 11 is identical to corbel 30 displayed inFIGS. 1-10. Platform 160 of FIG. 11 is substantially identical toplatform 60 displayed in FIGS. 1-10. Platform 160 has opposed front andrear ends 161 and 162, opposed sides 163 and 164, sidewall 175, andbottom surface 166. Unlike platform 60, in which sidewall 75 iscontinuously arcuate along side 63, front end 61, side 64, rear end 62,and side 64, sidewall 175 of platform 160 is continuously arcuate alongside 163, front end 161, and side 164. Sidewall 175 along rear end 162is straight. Otherwise, platform 160 is substantially identical toplatform 60.

A tongue 167 is formed on platform 160 and is substantially identical totongue 67 of FIGS. 1-10, and is shown in FIG. 12. Tongue 167 is formedalong bottom surface 166 of platform 160 extending away from bottomsurface 166. Tongue 167 includes opposed leading and trailing ends 168and 169 and extends along bottom surface 166 from leading end 168proximate to rear end 162 of platform 160 to trailing end 169 proximateto front end 161 of platform 160. Tongue 167 further extends alongbottom surface 166 at an intermediate location with respect to opposedsides 163 and 164 of platform 160.

Corbel 30 is secured to vertical surface 21 of support 20 along rear end36 of corbel 30. A receiving area 190 is formed by and between verticalsurface 21 of support 20 and top end 31 of corbel 30 to receive platform160. Platform 160 is received in receiving area 190 by sliding tongue167 into and along groove 37. Tongue 167 and groove 37 are complementalengagement elements of an engagement assembly formed between platform160 and corbel 30 which slideably and releasably couple and secureplatform 160 to top end 31 of corbel 30.

Platform 160 is applied to corbel 30 such that bottom surface 166 ofplatform 160 is received in juxtaposition against top end 31 of corbel30 and tongue 167 engages groove 37. Tongue 167 is concealed by corbel30 between leading and trailing ends 168 and 169, such that leading end168 of tongue 167 is located proximate to rear end 36 of corbel 30 andtrailing end 169 is located proximate to front end 35 of corbel 30.Leading end 168 is further received in juxtaposition with respect tovertical surface 21 of support 20, limiting movement of platform 160 ina direction longitudinal with respect to groove 37 toward support 20.Even though groove 37 has opening 41 formed at rear groove end 39,platform 160 can not be advanced toward support 20 once leading end 168of tongue 167 encounters vertical surface 21 of support 20. Platform 160can be withdrawn from corbel 30 in a direction toward opening 40,however.

Turning now to FIG. 13, a corbelled-support apparatus 200 isillustrated. Corbelled-support apparatus 200 is exactly identical tocorbelled support apparatus 19 of FIGS. 1-10 except for a fewdifferences which will be explained below. Corbelled-support apparatus200 includes a support 20, a platform 260, a corbel 30, and a secondcorbel 230 identical to corbel 30. Support 20 has vertical surface 21and horizontal surface 22.

In corbelled-support apparatus 200, platform 260 is substantiallyidentical to platform 60 of FIGS. 1-10. Platform 260 has opposed frontand rear ends 261 and 262, opposed sides 263 and 264, a sidewall 275,and a bottom surface 266. Bottom surface 266 of platform 260 is formedwith a tongue 267. Platform 260 is rectangular. Front end 261 islongitudinal with respect to rear end 262, side 263 is longitudinal withrespect to side 264, and front and rear ends 261 and 262 are transversewith respect to sides 263 and 264.

Corbel 30 and corbel 230 are identical except in location. Corbel 30 isproximate to side 263 of platform 60. Tongue 67 extends along bottomsurface 266 of platform 260 proximate and longitudinal to side 263 fromfront end 261 to rear end 262 of platform 260. Corbel 230 is proximateto side 264 of platform 260. Tongue 267 is identical to tongue 67 andlocated proximate and longitudinal to side 264, extending from front end261 to rear end 262 of platform 260. Like corbel 30, corbel 230 has agroove 237 formed along a top end 231 of corbel 230. Tongue 267 isapplied to and received by groove 237, coupling platform 260 to corbel230. Tongue 267 and groove 237 cooperate as complementary engagementelements of an engagement assembly. Platform 260 is slideably andreleasably coupled to corbels 30 and 230 to fix and secure platform 260to corbels 30 and 230 and to support 20. Platform 260 is received andsupported concurrently on and against horizontal surface 22 of support20 and top ends 31 and 231 of corbels 30 and 230, respectively.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:

1. A corbelled-support apparatus, comprising: a support including ahorizontal surface and a vertical surface; a corbel including opposedtop and bottom ends, the corbel secured to the vertical surface of thesupport; a platform positioned concurrently on and supportedconcurrently by the horizontal surface of the support and the top end ofthe corbel; and the platform for receiving and supporting display itemswith respect to the horizontal surface of the support and the corbel. 2.The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 1, further comprising anengagement assembly coupling the platform to the corbel comprising anengagement element carried by the platform and a complemental engagementelement carried by the corbel.
 3. The corbelled-support apparatus ofclaim 2, further comprising: the engagement element is one of a tongueand a groove; and the complemental engagement element is the other ofthe tongue and the groove.
 4. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim2, further comprising: the platform includes opposed front and rearends, opposed sides, and opposed top and bottom surfaces; the engagementelement is a tongue; the complemental engagement element is a groove;the tongue includes opposed leading and trailing ends; the tongueextends along the bottom surface of the platform from the leading endlocated between front and rear ends of platform to the trailing endpositioned near the front end of the platform.
 5. The corbelled-supportapparatus of claim 4, further comprising: an area of the verticalsurface of the support exposed at the groove inboard with respect to thetop end of the corbel; and the leading end of the tongue extending alongthe bottom surface of the platform is encountered by and received injuxtaposition with respect to the area of the vertical surface of thesupport exposed at the groove.
 6. The corbelled-support apparatus ofclaim 5, further comprising: the corbel is rigidly secured to thevertical surface of the support at a point of attachment; the point ofattachment is located at an intermediate position with respect to thetop and bottom ends of the corbel; and the point of attachmentcooperates with the platform positioned concurrently on and supportedconcurrently by the horizontal surface of the support and the top end ofthe corbel to secure the corbel and the platform to the support.
 7. Thecorbelled-support apparatus of claim 6, further comprising: the leadingend of the tongue cooperates with the bottom surface of the platform toform an inward platform corner; the horizontal and vertical surfaces ofthe support meet at an outward support corner; and the inward platformcorner receives the outward support corner, the leading end of thetongue received in juxtaposition with the vertical surface of thesupport at the area of the vertical surface of the support exposed atthe groove.
 8. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 7, wherein thetongue is concealed by the corbel between the leading and trailing endsof the tongue.
 9. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 8, whereinthe tongue further extends along the bottom surface of the platform atan intermediate position with respect to the opposed sides of theplatform.
 10. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 8, furthercomprising: a second corbel secured to the vertical surface of thesupport; a second engagement assembly coupling the platform to thesecond corbel comprising a second engagement element carried by theplatform and a second complemental element carried by the second corbel;the second engaging element extends along the bottom surface of theplatform at a position proximate to one of the sides of the platform;and the tongue extends along the bottom surface of the platform at aposition distal to the one of the sides of the platform.
 11. Acorbelled-support apparatus, comprising: a platform; a corbel; anengagement assembly coupling the platform to the corbel comprising anengagement element carried by the platform and a complemental engagementelement carried by the corbel; a receiving area formed by and betweenthe platform and the corbel to receive a support having a horizontalsurface and a vertical surface; the support received in the receivingarea; the corbel secured to the vertical surface of the support; and theplatform supported by the horizontal surface of the support, theplatform for receiving items thereon for display with respect to thesupport.
 12. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising: the platform includes opposed top and bottom surfaces; theengagement element is carried by the bottom surface of the platform; thecorbel includes opposed top and bottom ends; and the complementaryengagement element is carried by the top end of the corbel.
 13. Thecorbelled-support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: theengagement element is one of a tongue and a groove; and the complementalengagement element is the other of the tongue and the groove.
 14. Thecorbelled-support apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: theplatform includes opposed front and rear ends and opposed sides; theengagement element is a tongue; the complemental engagement element is agroove; the tongue includes opposed leading and trailing ends; thetongue extends along the bottom surface of the platform from the leadingend located at an intermediate position with respect to the bottomsurface to the trailing end positioned near the front end of theplatform.
 15. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 14, wherein thetongue is concealed by the corbel between the leading and trailing endsof the tongue.
 16. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 14, wherethe tongue further extends along the bottom surface of the platform atan intermediate position with respect to the opposed sides of theplatform.
 17. The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 16, furthercomprising: a first portion of the platform positioned between theopposed sides of the platform, and extending from the front end of theplatform to an intermediate location of the platform between the opposedfront and rear ends of the platform; a second portion of the platformpositioned between the opposed sides of the platform, and extending fromthe rear end of the platform to an intermediate location of the platformbetween the opposed front and rear ends of the platform; the firstportion of the platform supported by the corbel; and the second portionof the platform supported by the horizontal surface of the support. 18.The corbelled-support apparatus of claim 17, further comprising: thecorbel is rigidly secured to the vertical surface of the support at apoint of attachment; the point of attachment is located at anintermediate position with respect to the top and bottom ends of thecorbel; and the point of attachment cooperates with the second portionof the platform supported by the horizontal surface of the support tosecure the corbel and platform to the support.
 19. The corbelled-supportapparatus of claim 18, further comprising: the leading end of the tonguecooperates with the bottom surface of the platform to form an inwardplatform corner; the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the supportmeet at an outward support corner; and the inward platform cornerreceives the outward support corner, the leading end of the tonguereceived in juxtaposition with the vertical surface of the support. 20.A corbelled-support apparatus, comprising: a support including avertical surface; a corbel including opposed top and bottom ends, thecorbel secured to the vertical surface of the support; a receiving areaformed by and between the vertical surface of the support and the topend of the corbel to receive a platform having a bottom surface; theplatform received in the receiving area; an engagement assembly formedbetween and coupling the platform to the corbel comprising an engagementelement carried by the bottom surface of the platform and acomplementary engagement element carried by the corbel, the engagementelement slidably and releasably coupling the complemental engagementelement releasably securing the platform to the top end of the corbel;the engagement element is a tongue; the complementary engagement elementis a groove; the tongue includes opposed leading and trailing ends; thetongue extends along the bottom surface of the platform from thetrailing end between the opposed front and rear ends of the platform andextends along the bottom surface to the leading end at an intermediateposition with respect to the opposed sides of the platform; the tongueis concealed by the corbel between the leading and trailing ends of thetongue; the leading end of the tongue is received in juxtaposition withrespect to the vertical surface of the support, limiting movement of thetongue toward the support; the groove includes opposed open ends; thecorbel is rigidly secured to the vertical surface of the support at apoint of attachment; the point of attachment is located at anintermediate position with respect to the top and bottom ends of thecorbel; the point of attachment cooperates with the platform positionedconcurrently on and against the vertical surface of the support and thetop end of the corbel to secure the corbel and the platform to thesupport; and the platform for receiving and supporting display itemswith respect to the corbel and the vertical surface of the support.